Local

Woodland Regional High School in Beacon Falls has made a couple of prestigious lists since it was built 12 years ago.

In 2011, the Region 16 school made the Advanced Placement Honor Roll. Now it has snagged a spot on Newsweek's 2013 Best High Schools list.

Pomperaug High School in Southbury and Litchfield High School in Litchfield joined Woodland and 2,000 other public high schools on the list. Thirty-five schools were from Connecticut.

According to the publication, the schools on the list are those that have proven most effective in churning out college-ready graduates.

Newsweek, along with The Daily Beast, analyzed data from thousands of schools to find those who best prepare students for colleges.

They looked at graduation rates, college acceptance rates and participation in college-level classes via AP or International Baccalaureate programs.

All data was reported by the schools for the 2011-12 school year, according to the publication.

This year, nearly 2,500 schools of more than 5,000 invited responded, it says.

The day after Woodland Principal Arnold Frank learned that his school made the list, he aired it over the school's PA system. Woodland opened in September 2001. It serves Beacon Falls and Prospect students.

"For us it's particularly rewarding and encouraging because we started the school from scratch," Frank said. "We had a vision, and we maintained that vision. We are working to improve that vision. And this is just recognition that we are on our way."

According to the list, Woodland's graduation rate is 94 percent; its college acceptance rate is 82 percent; and the number of AP tests given per student is 0.3. Its average SAT score of graduates is 1474.

Ten years ago, the school didn't have an AP class, Frank said. Now it has 13 classes, and staff is contemplating offering more, he said.

Making the AP Honor Roll was based on increasing the number of students taking the test, but maintaining a quality score.

Frank said the school's graduation rate will increase with the new alternative education program launched this year.

"We're going to see that number only go up because we are going to meet the needs of some kids who may have potentially been dropouts," Frank said.

At Pomperaug High, the graduation rate is 93 percent; its college acceptance rate is 89 percent; and number of AP/IB tests taken per students is 0.3, according to the data. Its average SAT score is 1637, and its average ACT score is 23.

Superintendent Frank Sippy said the recognition reaffirms the district's commitment to quality education. It's one benchmark among a host, he said. The school, which serves Southbury and Middlebury students, opened in 1964.

"We are always pleased to make a list of excellent schools," Sippy said.

He also said it gives the school additional incentive to continue efforts to be as good as it can be.

Sippy noted the district will never be satisfied until the graduation rate is 100 percent.

Litchfield High's graduation rate is 97 percent; its college acceptance rate is 83 percent; and number of AP/IB tests given per student is 0.3. Its average SAT score is 1635 and average ACT score, 27.

Superintendent Deborah S. Wheeler said, "We are always proud of the educational program that we offer to our students in Litchfield where the collaborative efforts of students, faculty, and parents supports academic achievement for all students.

"Receiving this recognition for Litchfield High School from Newsweek is appreciated; however we value even more the feedback that we receive from our students, graduates, parents and community members," Wheeler said. "We have an outstanding school system and are continuously working to improve our opportunities for students."

Litchfield High Principal Kristen Della Volpe said, "Our ranking is a function of several different variables, rather than one, sole indicator. Therefore, to make the list, a school has to be strong in a number of areas.

"Clearly this is a testament to our students, teachers and overall community."

John McKenna contributed to this report.

Contact Quannah Leonard at qleonard@rep-am.com, on Facebook at RA The Valley or on Twitter @RA_Quannah.

- Metropolitan Learning Center for Global and International Studies, Bloomfield

- Litchfield High School, Litchfield

- Sport and Medical Sciences Academy, Hartford

- Woodland Regional High School, Beacon Falls

- Coventry High School, Coventry

- Newington High School, Newington

- Somers High School, Somers

- Windsor High School, Windsor

- Robert E. Fitch High School, Groton

- Bristol Eastern High School, Bristol

- Cooperative Arts and Humanities Magnet High School, New Haven

Source: Newsweek's 2013 America's Best High Schools

Follow Us

Post a reader comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog. Please be civil and respectful.If you're witty, to the point and quotable, your reader comments may also be included on the Around the Towns page of The Sunday Republican. Readers must be registered and logged in to post comments on the site. Registration is free. Click Here to register.
A Subscription is not required to post comments only a Registration.